Blogging for the Gray Wolf

It never ends. If Oregon HB 3636 is signed into law by Governor Kitzhaber it would create the”Wildlife Conservation Fund”? The name is deceiving.

“The bill would create a voluntary fund for killing predators, including wolves and “fur-bearing mammals.”

Killing animals to conserve them? What fresh hell is this?

This would put Oregon’s tiny gray wolf population in extreme danger as well as other fur-bearers likes foxes, bears, raccoons, beavers and more.

From Oregon Wild:

“Rob Klavins of Oregon Wild says that rather than kill endangered wolves, “the state is required to conserve the species.” He says HB 3636 was “designed to fly under the radar” and slipped through unnoticed in the last days of the legislative session. Klavins says that it “hijacks the hunting license system.” He points out that Oregon’s 17 or so wolves already face 28 active landowner kill permits.”

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Contact Governor Kitzhaber and ask him to veto this bad bill. Let him know you are counting on him to do the right thing.

1-503-378-4582

You must do this by AUGUST 4th. Time is short. Do it today!! Thank you!!

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WILL GOV OK WILDLIFE KILL FUNDS?

A so-called Wildlife Conservation Fund is actually a wildlife-killing fund, according to Eugene-based Predator Defense and conservation group Oregon Wild. HB 3636 was passed unanimously by the Oregon House and by the Senate, and it awaits Gov. John Kitzhaber’s signature. The bill would create a voluntary fund for killing predators, including wolves and “fur-bearing mammals.” Oregon’s population of less than 20 gray wolves is state endangered species listed. Wolves in the western two-thirds of Oregon are also federally protected.

If Kitzhaber signs the bill into law, the fund would allow people applying for a license, tag or permit from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to make a voluntary contribution for predatory animal control within the counties that the license allows for the person to hunt.

This means the money will go to killing endangered gray wolves, as well as to lethally controlling bear, beaver, raccoons and foxes, among others. Sally Mackler of Predator Defense calls the bill “reckless” and says, “The state is spending a tremendous amount of money on killing wildlife.” Mackler says the amount of money the state spends on killing predators has doubled in the last biennium to about $840,000, but predators are responsible for very few livestock deaths.

Rob Klavins of Oregon Wild says that rather than kill endangered wolves, “the state is required to conserve the species.” He says HB 3636 was “designed to fly under the radar” and slipped through unnoticed in the last days of the legislative session. Klavins says that it “hijacks the hunting license system.” He points out that Oregon’s 17 or so wolves already face 28 active landowner kill permits.

A recent study in the journal Science says that humans’ destruction of top or apex predators like wolves causes previously unknown reverberations including changes in the landscape, increases in wildfires, pandemics and ecosystem shifts. The study called killing predators “humankind’s most pervasive influence on the natural world.”

The study gives as an example that when wolves returned to Yellowstone National Park it benefited creekside trees, and that without predators to kill deer, the populations explode with consequences such as more deer ticks to spread Lyme disease to humans.

Oregon Wild and Predator Defense are calling on Kitzhaber to veto the bill. Kitzhaber’s press secretary Christine Miles says, “The governor will review HB 3636 before making any decision on the bill.” — Camilla Mortensen

Hi Nabeki, I am so weary as I know you are. As you said this never, ever ends. I called the governor’s office yesterday and told the young woman that answered the phone that Kitzhaber had become a real hero to wolf advocates when he wrote to Obama after wolves were delisted from ESA protection, and we are counting on him again.

To say I am disappointed that no one in the LA area would step up for the rally is the understatement of the year. We are now trying to get something going in Las Vegas with Karen Wallo, but again it is maddening that people will speak out for farm animals, but not the wolf. I literally do not know what to do anymore. I am sick at heart, as I know you are. People always think something is a good idea until “they” have to do it.

Hi Rhonda….somehow we have to figure out a way to motivate people. I thought everyone would be so excited to organize or attend a rally and finally have a chance to stand up for wolves. We need to get HAA an ad in a big newspaper like the NYTimes…..Im sad about the LA rally hopefully Vegas. goes off. I’ll be home soon ready to go!!!!! Thank you for all u are doing.. howls.

Aye me…what is this madness! People are outraged when Canada clubs baby seals, Japan slaughters whales, just mention the horrors of puppy mills and you get action AND results! Wolves are intelligent, sentient, and beautiful creations in addition to being an apex species. But what is it about society if an animal doesn’t appear to be cute and fuzzy, does that mean it doesn’t deserve the very same outcry from humanity? It goes way beyond humane treatment here,…it is a matter of principal, integrity, justice, and ecological viability and sustainability. True Nabeki, motive indeed….how do we get people to actual feel this directly, that seems to be the only way people respond…through a gut reaction or some innate sense of kinship. I know people care, but I think we’ve all become accustomed to believing that we can no longer make a difference…..please wake up AMERICA!!!!

No matter how many logical reasons we give that the wolves should be protected, the hunters aren’t listening and they don’t care. All this is about for the hunters is KILL, KILL, KILL. If it moves, shoot it. The human race has gone insane. We scream, we yell, we try to reason, and they have all gone deaf, and when the wolves are no longer a target, what will become their next target.

We all know that there will be plenty to kill wheher it be elk,deer,etc. Elk really have no problem for the hunters will make sure that they bag their elk and if their game numbers fall,they will whine to a Senator or a Govenor and ask that the elk be put on the endangered list.Futhermore, they can sue all they want.What the heck.

Will call the Gov. as soon as Capital opens today……
what the hell – who the hell came up with that name “Wildlfe Conservation Fund”
And am I understanding the article right when I read that they have MORE kill permits than wolves???? Geez…. WTF

Wow….. After reading this it really got me upset..This is just crazy,this really does need to stop seriously.I mean come on,this is ridiculous! Why can’t they stop and this and grow up???Erg….And when we all thought it ended,it starts all back up again. Guess you’re right,it never ends.I’ll try calling the place,but I’m just curious will they pick up or just let us leave a message?

I think people are finally connecting the dots ramses. There is no point in appealing to Obama or any of the Dems for that matter. The entire Senate, save three, voted to delist wolves and brought this hell down on them.

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This blog is dedicated to the memory of Wolf 253, the beloved Yellowstone Druid wolf named Limpy, who was shot and killed in March 08, on the very day ESA protections were lifted for the gray wolf, by the then Bush Administration.